We are now working with folktales as we continue to work with story arcs and discussion groups. We are looking at the elements that make for a folktale. We are using these elements as we create our own urban folktales explaining through imaginative stories how many elements of Chicago came to exist (The Bean, sky scrapers, and pollution). Students are excited about writing imaginative narratives, since much of our writing this year has been informational. These stories will be turned into picture books. This will prepare students for our next writing project which will be the Young Author Project. Students will have choices about the type of writing they wish to create, fiction, informational or poetry.